Santa Clara DUI Accident Victim Lawyers
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Our Santa Clara DUI Accident Victim Lawyers Offer Legal Representation Rooted In Integrity
If you sustained injuries or lost a loved one in an accident caused by an intoxicated driver, our Santa Clara DUI accident victim lawyers can help you explore your legal options. Call Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 to discuss your case in a free initial consultation.
Santa Clara County is a hidden gem for most Californians. The deep forest trails and untouched natural terrain all over the county make for a great hiking or cycling location. Adventures in the county’s beautiful landscape, however, carry inherent dangers for tourists and locals alike. Traffic collisions are among the most common dangers they face.
When going through Sierra Road or heading up to Castle Rock State Park, remember to drive carefully. When you’re exploring urban centers, pay attention to the traffic before crossing the road. Santa Clara has experienced a lot of DUI accidents in recent years, causing serious injuries or even death.
If you are suffering from injuries due to an accident caused by an impaired driver, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact our personal injury attorneys, who advocate for the rights of DUI accident victims in Santa Clara. Arash Law can handle your case and seek just compensation on your behalf.
A farm worker, suffered multiple broken bones and other orthopedic injuries resulting from an auto accident where the defendant driver attempted to make a left turn in front of our client in heavy fog.– ARASH KHORSANDI
Why Choose Our Santa Clara Lawyers For DUI Accident Victims?
Arash Law has decades of collective experience helping clients with various personal injury cases. Our knowledge of personal injury and car accident laws helps us pursue fair compensation on behalf of our clients. Our lawyers in Santa Clara County are committed to representing DUI accident victims, whether in negotiation or, if necessary, in court.
We understand the importance of clear communication and transparency throughout the legal process. As such, we take the time to listen to our clients’ concerns, answer their questions, and keep them informed at every stage of their case. If you are facing mounting medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress, our Santa Clara DUI accident victim attorneys can help you seek compensation for your losses.
At Arash Law, we aim to help clients seek legal counsel, regardless of their current financial standing. That is why we operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t have to pay attorney fees unless we win your case.
While lawyers’ fees are contingent upon your compensation, certain case-related costs are still your responsibility regardless of the outcome. One of our attorneys will explain our fee structure and other potential case expenses during your free initial consultation.
Our DUI Accident Victim Attorneys Can Help You Seek Just Compensation
Our Santa Clara personal injury lawyers are here to walk you through your rights and options if you suffer injuries after a DUI accident. To help you protect your rights to pursue compensation, our Santa Clara DUI accident victim attorneys can do the following:
- Assess the severity of your injuries and their overall impact on your life.
- Gather relevant documents to strengthen your claim.
- Hire professional witnesses, such as economists, surgeons, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other medical experts, to help assess your damages.
- Help you protect your rights throughout the insurance claims process.
- Represent you in court, if necessary. Our Santa Clara litigation attorneys have experience in preparing a claim for trial. We can present the facts of your case in front of a judge and jury and advocate for appropriate compensation on your behalf.
Reach out to our Santa Clara DUI accident victim attorneys. With experience helping clients seek damages for their injuries, our team can handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on your well-being.
Most Common Injuries In A DUI Accident In Santa Clara
Impaired drivers have difficulty controlling their vehicles or staying awake behind the wheel. They can cause various incidents on the road, including:
- Pedestrian accidents
- Hit-and-runs
- Bicycle collisions
- Motor vehicle crashes
Unsafe driving behaviors can sometimes result in fatal car accidents or catastrophic injuries. According to our Santa Clara lawyers, the following are some of the common injuries victims sustain in a DUI accident:
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Serious car accidents often result in traumatic brain injuries. These conditions can significantly affect a victim’s way of life due to changes in mood, memory, vision, and cognitive functions.
Spinal Cord Injuries
The force of impact could damage the spine, particularly in collisions involving high speeds and large commercial vehicles like trucks. The victim may experience a ruptured or slipped disc, causing chronic pain and nerve damage. Some spinal cord injuries could also result in paralysis below the affected site.
Broken Bones
Fractures range in severity, but even the mildest cases may cause mobility issues and require long-term rehabilitation. In severe accidents, the victim may have to undergo surgery or limb amputations.
Internal Organ Injuries
Some traffic accidents cause injuries to vital organs such as the lungs, kidneys, and spleen. These types of bodily injuries could result in internal bleeding and other life-threatening complications.
Burns
Cars may also explode and catch fire in catastrophic accidents. As a result, trapped occupants or pedestrians within the vicinity could incur burn wounds. These injuries can be extremely painful for the victims and may result in scarring and disfigurement.
Wrongful Death
A devastating DUI accident in Santa Clara could result in wrongful death. In this case, the victim’s loved ones can file a claim for the deceased.
The decedent’s family may claim the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Loss of wages
- Loss of future income
- Funeral and burial expenses
If you need help filing a wrongful death claim in Santa Clara, our personal injury lawyers who handle DUI accidents can help you pursue just compensation.
California Laws On Driving Under The Influence
According to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), it is illegal to drive under these circumstances:
- Drinking alcohol above certain thresholds.
- Taking illegal drugs.
- Taking any drug that alters an individual’s cognitive state.
The law doesn’t define “drunkenness” based on the driver’s ability or behavior. Rather, it’s measured by the blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In California, it is illegal to drive if an individual’s BAC is above certain levels. The DMV imposes varying limits based on classification:
- Drivers over the age of 21 – 0.08%.
- Drivers under 21 – 0.01%.
- Commercial drivers – 0.04%.
The effects of elevated blood alcohol levels can be serious, regardless of how sober you feel. BAC can rise quickly, making driving unsafe even with a few drinks. A standard drink is defined as 12 ounces of 5% alcohol beer, 1.5 ounces of 40% alcohol liquor, or 5 ounces of 12% alcohol wine.
One’s weight can also affect one’s BAC. Due to their smaller weight, women may have a higher BAC level per drink than men.
Even with a BAC of 0.02% to 0.05%, a driver may experience impaired vision, reduced coordination, difficulty steering, and a reduced response to emergencies.
If a law enforcement officer suspects a driver is under the influence, they will request a breath, blood, or urine test. The DMV has the right to suspend or revoke the driving privileges of anyone who refuses to take these tests.
In a DUI accident, our Santa Clara lawyers will consider the driver’s BAC when building your case. These applicable drunk or drugged driving-related laws in California will help establish negligence further.
Penalties For DUI Accidents In California
First-time DUI convictions carry serious consequences, including jail time, fines, probation, and mandatory programs. Additional penalties may apply if the BAC is 0.15% or higher. Furthermore, multiple DUI convictions within ten years can result in more severe punishments, such as license suspension and mandatory counseling.
Driving responsibly and staying sober is critical to keeping oneself and others safe on the road. Those who drive under the influence don’t only face the penalties above, but also potential liability for accidents they might cause.
If you or a loved one is a DUI accident victim, reach out to our Santa Clara personal injury attorneys. We will work to hold the drunk driver accountable for your hospitalization bills, doctor fees, lost income, as well as pain and suffering.
How Alcohol And Drugs Affect A Driver’s Ability To Drive
Alcohol and drugs impair an individual’s judgment, reasoning, and cognitive function. They directly affect the part of the brain that controls motor skills, resulting in poor coordination and difficulty steering. Some other effects that are detrimental while driving are:
- Altered Depth Perception — This effect can make a driver misjudge distances, leading to accidents.
- Blurred Vision — Having a clear vision is essential for reading road signs, identifying hazards, and maintaining awareness of surroundings while driving.
- Overconfidence — Drivers may severely underestimate the risks of driving recklessly.
- Drowsiness — Driving while sleepy or fatigued is extremely dangerous because drowsiness impairs cognitive function and reaction times.
- Hostility and Aggressiveness — Certain substances can make an individual prone to anger. It can cause a driver to act dangerously while on the road, posing significant risks to other motorists and pedestrians.
- Hallucinations — When a driver experiences hallucinations, they might react unpredictably. For example, seeing a non-existent animal on the road may cause them to swerve and collide with another car.
Our DUI accident victim lawyers in Santa Clara recognize how drugged or drunk driving can cause injuries and fatalities. DUI is not only dangerous for the affected individual but for other road users as well.
Signs Of An Impaired Driver
While driving or walking around Santa Clara, pay attention to how some drivers act on the road. It may be wise to stay away from cars that are exhibiting strange behaviors to keep yourself safe. Some signs that the driver is drunk or impaired include:
- Inability to stay in their lane.
- Turning sharply, making sudden maneuvers, or overcorrecting the steering wheel.
- Driving too fast or too slow.
- Inconsistent driving speed.
- Hitting objects on the road or sidewalk.
- Overtaking curbs, weaving, or straddling lines.
- Stopping at a traffic signal or stop sign too quickly or overshooting.
- Failure to use signal lights or using signals that do not reflect their actions.
- Driving at night without light.
- Failing to dim high beams.
Keep these critical signs in mind and be vigilant on the road. Unfortunately, accidents can still occur despite your efforts. If you’re suffering from injuries caused by impaired drivers, reach out to our DUI accident victim lawyers in Santa Clara County. Arash Law’s team of attorneys can help you investigate whether the at-fault party was under the influence and hold them accountable for your medical expenses and other losses.
Determining The Negligent Parties In Drunk/Drugged Driving Accidents
Typically, the drunk or drugged driver is primarily liable in a DUI car accident. However, multiple parties could also be involved in a single accident, raising significant legal questions about responsibility and accountability.
When our Santa Clara victim attorneys review your DUI accident, we’ll assist in identifying individuals or entities that may have contributed to your case. We may find fault with some or all of the following parties:
- The Drunk or Drugged Driver — They likely have the largest percentage of liability in an incident.
- Vehicle Owners — They might also be responsible if they knowingly allowed an intoxicated individual to drive their car, leading to an auto accident.
- Employers — If the at-fault driver was on the job when the accident occurred, the employer might also be found negligent.
- Other Motorists — Sometimes, an accident can also involve negligence on the part of other drivers on the road. For example, another car was speeding through a red light, and the drunk driver improperly maneuvered into a collision with your vehicle.
- Bar Owners and Social Hosts — Under dram shop laws, establishments and party hosts may be held liable if they serve alcohol to someone under 21 who goes on to injure someone.
Since California is a pure comparative negligence state, all the liable parties are responsible for compensating you for your damages. Our skilled lawyers, committed to representing DUI accident victims in Santa Clara, will seek to hold at-fault parties accountable for your injuries, financial difficulties, and emotional trauma.
Comparative negligence also entails that if you are found partially liable, your total compensation will be reduced based on the percentage of your liability. Our attorneys can help you protect your rights and identify parties that may be liable in case of an accident.
December 2016: $22M+ verdict in a mild traumatic brain injury case. The entire details of the case can be found in the public record filings by the defendant entity that sued its defense.– BRIAN BEECHER
Damages DUI Accident Victims Can Claim In Santa Clara
If you or your family sustained an injury, you may be able to seek compensation for your medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses. Our Santa Clara DUI accident victim lawyers will advocate for a fair settlement to help ease the financial burdens you are facing.
The following economic and non-economic damages may be available to you as an accident victim:
- Medical expenses
- Physical therapy
- Property damage repair
- Loss of income
- Loss of future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium
If a DUI incident leads to the loss of a loved one, you can still pursue a claim against the negligent parties. Our wrongful death attorneys will help you through the process of seeking compensation. Under California laws, the surviving family members may seek damages for:
- Medical bills of the deceased after the accident and before their death
- Loss of financial support from the victim
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of companionship
- Emotional trauma
We recognize that no amount of money can replace the life of a loved one. Nonetheless, our DUI accident victim lawyers, who also handle wrongful death cases in Santa Clara, can help you seek financial compensation for your loss.
Statute Of Limitations For Personal Injuries In California
The statute of limitations in California for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the incident. This means you only have two years to file a claim after a DUI accident. In some cases, however, the deadline might be extended.
For instance, you discovered the injury later. The statute of limitations might instead start from the date of discovery.
For victims who are minors, their deadline would be two years from the date they turn 18 years old. The timer could also be paused while the defendant is out of state, in prison, or mentally insane.
If you miss the deadline, the court can dismiss your personal injury case. Reaching out to our DUI accident victim lawyers in Santa Clara promptly may help us prepare and file your claim within the applicable deadlines. We’ll discuss all the possible deadlines and extensions that may apply to your case.
What To Do After A DUI Accident In Santa Clara
Our Santa Clara lawyers for personal injury victims recommend taking the following steps to strengthen your DUI accident claim:
- Prioritize Your Safety — Stay calm and check yourself for injuries. If possible, move away from traffic to avoid further injuries.
- Contact 911 — An officer must be present at the accident scene and create a police report. Your attorney may use this information during the claims process.
- Seek Medical Care — Once the paramedics arrive, submit yourself to a medical check-up. Get yourself checked, even if you believe you suffered only minor injuries. Some injuries do not show up early or on the surface.
- Document the Accident Scene — You should take as many photos as you can from different angles of the accident scene. You can also take notes and record a video. Make sure to highlight your injuries, property damage, and the road conditions.
- Gather Information From the At-Fault Driver — Get the driver’s name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance company information.
- Collect the Contact Details of Any Witnesses — Our attorneys might have to ask for their statements later or request that they testify in court.
- Hire Our DUI Accident Victim Lawyers in Santa Clara — Our legal team will handle the claims process for you and advocate for your rights throughout your case.
Drunk Driving Crash Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DUI leads to the tragic loss of 37 lives every day in the United States. The number of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities increased by 14% in 2021 alone, resulting in 13,384 fatalities.
Drunk driving is a persistent issue, even in Santa Clara, California. In 2022, the Transportation Injury Mapping System reported that alcohol-involved traffic incidents caused fatalities for 22 drivers in the county. Meanwhile, there were six deaths from drug-involved accidents that same year.
The alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for increased awareness and action. Impaired driving has devastating effects, which underscores the need for effective measures to address this problem.
Drugged or drunk drivers should be held liable for their reckless actions. Our Santa Clara attorneys, well-versed in DUI accidents, can help you pursue damages due to the accident.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Santa Clara DUI Accidents
Where Can I Find DUI Accident Attorneys Near Me?
Our DUI accident victim lawyers serve clients throughout California, including Santa Clara, San Jose, Los Angeles, Orange, Merced, and other counties. You can reach our attorneys via phone, online, or a personal visit to our office. If your injuries prevent you from visiting us, our legal team can meet you at a location of your choosing instead.
What Happens If Someone Drives Drunk in California?
Under California law, the drunk driver will be arrested and may be sentenced to up to six months in jail. If the driver causes serious injury or wrongful death, they will be charged with a felony. Additionally, authorities may impound the vehicle of the drunk driver.
Should I Hire A Lawyer For A Minor DUI Injury In California?
All injuries, minor or severe, may be eligible for compensation from the at-fault party. Moreover, even minor injuries can turn into more serious conditions later on. You may benefit from consulting our DUI accident victim attorneys in Santa Clara, California. Our attorneys will consider the full extent of your damages, including any potential developments, to calculate an estimated compensation value.
Seek Assistance From The DUI Accident Victim Lawyers In Santa Clara!
You may be able to file an auto accident claim against the liable party if you or a loved one is injured in an alcohol- or drug-related collision. Our experienced personal injury attorneys have decades of combined experience representing DUI accident victims in Santa Clara, California. We can recommend appropriate next steps to help you pursue fair compensation.
Arash Law aims to help you seek damages, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. Call us at (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation.
We also serve clients in nearby areas, such as San Jose, Saratoga, Campbell, Burbank, Los Altos, Monta Loma, Palo Alto, East San Jose, River Oaks, Mountain View, Redwood City, Emerald Hills, Los Gatos, Warm Springs, Milpitas, Alamitos, Cupertino, Woodside, Stanford, Atherton, and Robertsville.
